Cancer risk after iodine-131 therapy for hyperthyroidism

Journal Article · Wed Aug 07 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · JNCI, Journal of the National Cancer Institute; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/83.15.1072· OSTI ID:5187501

Holm, L E; Hall, P; Wiklund, K; Lundell, G; Berg, G; Bjelkengren, G; Cederquist, E; Ericsson, U B; Hallquist, A; Larsson, L G ^[1]

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1. Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm (Sweden)

Cancer incidence was studied in 10,552 patients (mean age, 57 years) who received 131I therapy (mean dose, 506 MBq) for hyperthyroidism between 1950 and 1975. Follow-up on these patients was continued for an average of 15 years. Record linkage with the Swedish Cancer Register for the period 1958-1985 identified 1543 cancers occurring 1 year or more after 131I treatment, and the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was 1.06 (95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.11). Significantly increased SIRs were observed for cancers of the lung (SIR = 1.32; n = 105) and kidney (SIR = 1.39; n = 66). Among 10-year survivors, significantly elevated risks were seen for cancers of the stomach (SIR = 1.33; n = 58), kidney (SIR = 1.51; n = 37), and brain (SIR = 1.63; n = 30). Only the risk for stomach cancer, however, increased over time (P less than .05) and with increasing activity administered (P = not significant). The risk for malignant lymphoma was significantly below expectation (SIR = 0.53; n = 11). Overall cancer risk did not increase with administered 131I dose or with time since exposure. The absence of any increase in leukemia adds further support to the view that a radiation dose delivered gradually over time is less carcinogenic than the same total dose received over a short time. Only for stomach cancer was a possible radiogenic excess suggested.

• OSTI ID: 5187501
• Journal Information: JNCI, Journal of the National Cancer Institute; (United States), Journal Name: JNCI, Journal of the National Cancer Institute; (United States) Vol. 83:15; ISSN 0027-8874; ISSN JJIND
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550604* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Therapy-- (1980-)
560151 -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISEASE INCIDENCE
DISEASES
DOSES
ENDOCRINE DISEASES
EUROPE
HYPERTHYROIDISM
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
IODINE 131
IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
PATIENTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
RISK ASSESSMENT
SCANDINAVIA
SIDE EFFECTS
SWEDEN
THERAPY